Hurricane and Earthquake Disaster Relief

In the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and recent earthquakes in Mexico City, our thoughts are with the victims and families affected by natural disasters. Residents are encouraged to consider supporting organizations assisting with relief efforts and the long recovery ahead in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other affected areas.

The City has created a website cityofchicago.org/disasterrelief that includes a list of verified charities and organizations assisting with these efforts. Please help us spread the word!

Local Efforts:

Friday, September 22nd 7-11PM

Segundo Ruiz Belvis Center, 4046 W. Armitage Ave.

Event Hosted by The Puerto Rican Agenda

Paypal donations to support local community relief efforts to PRHurricaneRelief@boricuahumanrights.org

According to FEMA, cash donations are preferred to allow organizations the most flexibility to address needs on the ground. Please do not donate unsolicited goods such as used clothing, miscellaneous household items, medicine, or perishable foodstuffs at this time. If you choose to donate, be sure to contribute funds through a trusted, legitimate organization and website. Check Charity Navigator to determine the best organizations to donate to.

Volunteers should not self-deploy at this time as this will create an additional burden for first responders. To ensure volunteer safety and the safety of disaster survivors, volunteers should only go to affected areas with a specific volunteer assignment, proper safety gear, and valid identification.

Additionally, the American Red Cross has a safe and well website where people can check for their loved ones and people in affected areas can also register themselves as safe and well. Residents can also follow @ChicagoOEMC on twitter for continued updates.

Contact the island’s disaster relief team by e-mailing maria1@prfaa.pr.gov – Because of high volume, leaders are asking that you only send one email – no follow-ups – unless the status of your loved one has changed. Include your contact information and as many details about your family or friend as possible.

Call the Puerto Rico Washington D.C. office at 202-800-3133 or 202-778-0710 – Staffers are taking names and numbers and developing plans to check the welfare of people who remain unreachable or missing as the island begins to recover. Officials say getting through to someone over the phone has been difficult because of backed-up phone lines.